No Greater Joy Mom: let's help a family!

Hi Everyone!

I feel motivated to share this blog post with you because in it you get to learn of many families who are adopting children all over the world and who need help to do it. Recently, some friends  who are also adopting shared with me that on occasion people will actually approach them and either imply or actually come right out and ask  them something like, "Why are you spending so much money on just one child? Do you really feel you are making a difference?"


Wow! I am soooo glad Jesus did not have the attitude that one life isn't worth it! He died for me. He died for you. He died for our neighbor, sister, brother and even for those who hate us. Each of us individually He died for. It's not a "group thing" with Jesus.


I also would like to add that often times, adoptive families go through much scrutiny by family, friends and the public for their decision to adopt, or i should say their decision to obey the call of the Lord and adopt. But these same people who find fault would never ever consider going up to their neighbor, friend or stranger on the street and imply or say something like, "Wow! I can't believe you just spent $40,000.00 on that car! It's only one car! And it's a gas guzzler on top of it!"


I want to convey to all of you right now just how appreciative I am that none of you have ever questioned my family in such an insensitive way. Instead, we've received an outpouring of love, compassion and empathy from you, and for that we are forever grateful! So, thank you for just being you, and understanding that when Jesus calls us to something, not only should we obey the call, but we should applaud and support one another in it.

No Greater Joy Mom: let's help a family!

Thanks for Asking!

Thank you for asking how Sonya's FUNdraising efforts are going to raise enough money to pay for her little sister's airline ticket home from China!  Before Sonya's FUNdraiser she had already raised $155.00 toward her little sister's one-way ticket to America.  She did this solely by selling her art work.  Then, with a lot of help from her friends, Sonya raised another $285.00 at her FUNdraiser Extravaganza back on September 17th!


So far, Sonya has raised $440.00 of the one thousand dollar goal.  $1,000.00, btw,  is the amount quoted to us for a child's one way ticket to America. 


Sonya is still selling art work if you are interested.  I have added two more prints to the home page.  Here is a preview!



Still Waters








The Beach

In a very short span of time, from March to September, the Lord has gathered for the cause of freeing Zhong Feng Mei $32,285.00!!!!!! 

We are looking at increased airline and hotel costs as we approach the end of the year, however (because it's drawing closer to the Chinese New Year, or at least that's the reason I've been told).  Additionally, because China changed some of their rules and regulations regarding post-placement adoption visits, our adoption agency had no choice but to raise their fees another $1,800.00 to cover their added workload.  Suffice it to say, we are still a little bit short of paying for the adoption in full.  My guesstimate?  Due to delay in travel and increase in adoption fees we are approximately $4,000.00-$5,000.00 short. 

The good news is we are still waiting to hear back from two adoption grant agencies, and we are hopeful it will be very soon!  And we are hopeful it will be good news!  Whatever the case, God keeps showing us He will cover it, and the best part of all, my family is not unique.  I've read on innumerable international adoption blogs about how the Lord will show up and cover the adoption costs down to the last penny and even sometimes at the eleventh hour.   

My hope and prayer has always been that God would use our experience to show families with a heart for adoption that it is possible to adopt a child or children without a reserve in the bank when the Lord is behind it. 

I am not entirely comfortable divulging what feels to be under "normal" circumstances highly private information surrounding the cost of this adoption.  However, I don't see how i can be anything but completely transparent with all of you when it is obvious to me and

Randy that all of this is the Lord's doing.  We can't even take credit for the idea of Cassie.  Yes, this is all the Lord's deal, and we want to make sure He receives the FULL GLORY for everything that unfolds since the beginning of our journey and from here on out. 

The Lord has always known the high cost of international adoption.  He knew before all was said and done this adoption would cost even more  than we originally anticipated in order to bring our little Cassie Mei home.   How merciful is our Father that he doesn't reveal too much too soon of His plans for us before He has prepared a way for us to succeed!  

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, your kind words, your emails and even your cut-out magazine articles on adoption that some of you have painstakingly carried on you until the time presented itself to give to me in person - just to let me know you're thinking of me and that you care!   

I have written a lot about our church, Waynedale Baptist, and how they have chosen to step up and walk right along beside us in this most difficult and at times JOYFUL journey to our littlest.  But now, I want to put the spotlight on Sonya's homeschool gym class.  Countless families have gone out of their way to share with me how our journey and its chronicling is touching them, changing and inspiring them!  Renewing a sense of hope in their hearts and minds that God is in the details, He does answer prayers, and He does have a Plan for each of us who are called according to His Purpose. 

Yes, God is in the details, and He knew what He was doing when He placed Sonya and me in the path of all these wonderful home school families who have not made us walk alone! 

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I love you and i am grateful for you!   For All of you!  Your kindness AMAZES me!  It INSPIRES me!  YOUR kindness raises me up out of my human frailty and weakness and sets my eyes upon the possibilities of what God is calling me to in this hour and for this cause so that i may have something of value to give to you in return.  And through this the fellowship of the Body, May our Father in Heaven be glorified and exalted!





No Greater Joy Mom: just a mom

Oh, you really must read this post! It will inspire you, encourage you and give you peace and hope for being called "Mom" and fulfilling a place in your children's lives that no other shoes can fill. I love you all! Thank you for all the support and encouraging words you've shown my family. I really am SO GRATEFUL!!!

No Greater Joy Mom: just a mom

Last Year At This Time

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Last fall at this time, Sonya played soccer at Waynedale Baptist Church.  

At one of Sonya's games, September 18th to be exact, a tiny, little girl ran into my arms as i knelt near the ground and visited with her mother.  As i scooped this little one up and held her close to me, my heart registered a distant memory - oh, but to have another little girl to hold in my arms!  Who could have known back then that in that very moment, my life would change forever?  God knew, and He had planned it that way....

Who could have known that on September 19th, 2010, the very next day following Sonya's soccer game, for the very first time in this young girl's life, Zhong Feng Mei's records would be released for adoption?  And who could have known that on September 21st, 2010, only two days following the release of her files that when the Holy Spirit came to me as a great gust of wind, knocking me back on my heels, whispering, You have another daughter, He was speaking of beautiful Feng Mei, a little girl I had no earthly idea even existed?   

Because of my humanity, it didn't take me long to forget the Holy Spirit's words to me on September 21st, even though upon hearing them I immediately picked up the phone and called Randy at work to share the message.  I asked Randy, What do you think it means?  Honestly, we. did. not. have. a clue.

Until October came, and the Holy Spirit drew close to me and whispered very clearly

 the very same message yet with greater force and urgency,

You have another daughter! 

Once again, i immediately called Randy to share the very same message, but this time I had a thought.  Does this have anything to do with that little girl at the soccer game, Lord?  Because you see, I could not get her out of my mind.   Every day, i thought about her and i prayed for her.   I shared with Randy for the very first time some circumstances involving her situation which lead me to feel this precious little girl could very possibly need a family to take her in...

And then what happened? As before, i forgot all about it...Until

November rolled around, and one last time the Holy Spirit visited me while at work and whispered yet again passionately and forcefully, You have another daughter!

This time when I called Randy i asked him if we were to find out this little girl needed a home, would he be willing to give her one.  And without much thought he answered, "Yes".  Friends, this is why I love him so!

The following weekend, without revealing too much, let me just tell you I found out the parents of this little one were looking for help with their children, and I called them... I did not get them on the line that night, but i left a message asking them to call me.   I never heard back from them, and it felt wrong in my spirit for me to pursue it.  I was more than a little perplexed to say the least.  I did not understand.  Why, God, can I not get her out of my mind if I'm not supposed to help her?!

Until the following month, on December 6th, 2010, when I looked at the BEAUTIFUL, DELIGHTFUL, JOYFUL face of Feng Mei for the first time ever, and finally - knew that I knew that I knew - this is my daughter! 

And now for the very first time ever it all makes sense to me.   When the Holy Spirit visited me three times at the close of last year, approximately 30 days between each visit,  He was interceeding for Feng Mei, whom I have only recently discovered was never ever available for adoption until her file was released on September 19th, 2010, the day after i held that sweet little girl at the soccer field in my arms and recalled
 a distant longing.

 I do not even know her name, that sweet little girl I held in my arms and instantly fell in love with, but I know that God did not use her only for my family's benefit but for hers as well because even though I never learned her name, I pray for her still.  Friends, would you consider praying for her and her family too?

Incidentally, from the very start I learned that Feng means "wind" in my
daughter's native tongue.  God is in the details.  Please, let us remember that.

Picture taken of Sonya September 24, 2011 at her soccer game

When I was taking this picture of Sonya, I thought back to last year at this time, and marveled at the difference a year can make when we choose to obey the calling of the Lord.  Sonya has a little sister on the way, perhaps someone who will join her on the soccer field someday, but if not that's okay too. 

As the year 2011 draws on, please continue to pray for us.  I hope and pray to have Feng Mei home before Christmas as I know spending another Christmas without her would be quite painful.  To say Randy and I know for certain God's plans for when we will travel would be inaccurate.  We do not know.  We can only hope.  Please hope with us. 

 Please pray with us. 

Most recently, I was having one of those days when I couldn't figure out why it can't just "happen" so we can travel soon, until the Lord reminded me that Feng Mei doesn't belong to me.  She belongs to Him, and that she is on loan to Randy and me so that we can teach her how to trust Him fully, so we must trust in Him fully in the matter of this adoption, otherwise we really have nothing of value to teach her at all. 
A. hard. lesson. to. swallow.

So we are waiting again, For God's Purposeful Timing in the matter of rescuing Feng Mei from a life where she knows not love personally and up close.

Yet...we do love her so, and we are prepared as a family to embrace her into our world and shepherd her and be like Jesus to her, and some day, we get to share with our little girl how God perfectly orchestrated every. single. detail on her behalf because He loves her,
and she belongs to Him! 

Thank you, Father, for entrusting us with Sonya Yi and Feng Mei, two beautiful daughters to love and to raise up to know You and to teach how to follow You in perfect obedience even when the steps in front of us are unknown.  It is there when we are powerless and helpless that You. will. be. GLORIFIED!  Amen!

No Greater Joy Mom: safely in the arms of Jesus

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Zac's parents that God will bind and heal the wound in their hearts for the loss of their precious baby boy.

No Greater Joy Mom: safely in the arms of Jesus

No Greater Joy Mom: 24 hours for baby Zac

Friends, I would like to share the following story with you about a precious baby boy who just came into the world today. I am asking for prayer on his behalf so that our Father in heaven will be glorified. Let us pray that his little heart be healed completely. For the next 24 hours, please, let us pray for him. Thank you to everyone who can commit to this today!

No Greater Joy Mom: 24 hours for baby Zac

Happy, Happy Birthday, Feng Mei!

Happy Birthday, Princess!

7 candles!



Here's Jie Jie blowing out your candles for you after
 praying a special blessing on your behalf!  

Feng Mei,
i promise 
next year
 we will
all be together
on your 
very special day!
and we are so thankful
your ayis
 gave you flowers
 for this birthday.
Your very first
birthday 
celebration
EVER! 

YOU ARE LOVED!!!!